Former Labour councillor Rudland claims that they reduced council tax while maintaining services (Buck Stops With Them, 14.10.05). The voters did not agree, they voted anti-Labour; his own seat was lost to the Liberal Democrats.

His assertion of decreases in services is untrue. Examples of the achievements of the Coalition on Redcar & Cleveland Council compared with Labour's when they left office are as follows...

* Recycling target 18pc: under Labour 12pc, under the Coalition 40pc.

* Housing Services: under Labour Fair with unpromising prospect, under the Coalition Good with promising prospects.

* Social Services: under Labour one star with uncertain prospects, under the Coalition two stars with excellent prospects.